World Elephant Day marked today

Today (Aug. 12) marks World Elephant Day.

The day is observed to raise awareness of the conservation and protection of elephants worldwide.

The day was officially designated in 2012 to highlight the urgent challenges facing Asian and African elephants, including illegal poaching, habitat loss and the welfare of captive elephants.

More than 100 countries have since recognised and observed World Elephant Day.

According to the IUCN Red List, Asian elephants have been classified as endangered since 1986.

Globally, an estimated 400,000 African elephants and nearly 50,000 Asian elephants remain in the wild.

Sri Lanka is home to approximately 7,500 wild Asian elephants.

However, the situation for elephants in Sri Lanka remains dire.

The recent death of the tame elephant “Randeniya Bandara”, which sustained fatal injuries after being struck by a sand transport lorry in the Omaragolla area of Melsiripura on July 28, highlights some of the challenges faced by elephants in Sri Lanka. In addition, incidents of wild elephants being shot are reported around the country at an alarming frequent rate.

Over the past several decades, elephants and their habitats, migratory corridors and home ranges have come under increasing pressure.

Environmentalists have criticised authorities for a lack of effective plans to protect elephants, saying this has contributed to the increasing number of elephant deaths outside protected areas.

In response, the Ministry of Environment has introduced a series of conservation and development programmes aimed at providing a permanent, scientific and sustainable solution to the human-elephant conflict.

Under the direct guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 03 major elephant corridors – Watahira Kanda, Hadapanagala and Koholankala – have been officially gazetted and opened in the Hambantota and Monaragala districts, while preliminary work is underway in Anuradhapura.

Invasive plants around reservoirs such as Kalawewa and Tabbowa have been cleared to create enrichment zones and grasslands, encouraging elephants to remain within reserves.

Under the “Wanaspathi” national program, food and water facilities for elephants are being developed in protected forests, including Nilgala, with authorities reporting a reduction in elephant incursions into villages.

At Pinnawala, Asia’s first “Free Elephant Sanctuary” has been opened, allowing musth elephants to roam without chains.

To regulate captive elephants used in cultural ceremonies, a committee has been appointed to review draft regulations for registration and licensing, ensuring welfare standards. Parallel measures include recruiting Elephant Fence Assistant Officers, 5,000 Civil Defence Force personnel, and Multi‑Purpose Development Officers to strengthen conservation operations.

Camera systems and warning sign boards are also being installed along key railway lines, such as Gal Oya -Trincomalee, Gal Oya-Batticaloa, Northern, and Mannar, to prevent elephant‑train collisions.

Recognizing the need for swift medical care, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is establishing a mobile hospital service for wild elephants.

An Expert and Monitoring Committee on Human‑Elephant Conflict Management has also been appointed, bringing together ministries, conservation agencies, experts, and local communities to design a systematic, long‑term action plan.

The Ministry emphasized that safeguarding elephants is synonymous with protecting biodiversity, ecosystems, tourism, the national economy, and cultural heritage.

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